The news was greeted with widespread frustration from Villa supporters, but it could be for the best that they weren't able to capture the England international.

Villa may have struggled for goals this campaign, but Lambert does not look like the front-man to end their problems.

Villa boss Paul Lambert already has Christian Benteke, Andreas Weimann, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Scott Sinclair and Carles Gil to choose from in attacking positions and it is up to the Scot to get the best out of that quintet rather than add new players.

Villa should have easily enough ammunition to increase their total from 11 goals if they implement a creative and innovative plan and that should have been their manager's focus rather than bringing in another striker.

In any case, Rickie Lambert's addition would have been no guarantee for success. Although the 32-year-old was in good form for Southampton last season, he has barely played at Liverpool and he would have been unlikely to be match-sharp in his arrival at Villa Park.

The Claret and Blue need players ready to immediately impact on their starting line-up and whether Lambert's initial impression would have been great is doubtful.

The towering centre-forward has scored just three times in 24 games this campaign and he looks low on confidence.

His arrival, therefore, would unlikely have provided much of a boost to the team and adding an under-performing striker to a squad of players who are playing well below their best would have been a questionable strategy from the club.

John Verrall

John is a sports journalism graduate from Staffordshire University. He is a huge football fan and a minute-by-minute writer for UEFA.com, as well as being a freelance writer for Sports New Media. John has also seen his work been published by the likes of The Guardian, World Soccer and Shoot Magazine over the course of his bourgeoning journalism career so far. He has a particular expertise in all things to do with the Football League – and is a passionate Peterborough United fan.